The Armada Free Public Library was established on April 1, 1901 when village and township residents 144 to 48 in favor of a one-quarter mill tax to fund library services. The library opened on August 1, 1901 on the second floor of the Barrows Block, on the Southwest corner of Main Street, with 87 books on its shelves. Elizabeth Pomeroy was appointed as the first librarian. The first Board of Commisioners was elected April 1902.
From 1906-1913, the Library Board occupied much of its time seeking a Carnegie grant to construct a library building. The Board's efforts finally were rewarded in December 1913 with a grant for $8000. The Carnegie building opened on April 3, 1915.
From its beginning, the Library was commited to a role of community service. In its early years, conferences, clubs meetings, children's hours and civic gatherings were held at the library, the the Library focused on building collections of books and magazines.
The years before and after the Depression were characterized by frugal operation. The library millage was not always levied and funding was inconsistent. An effort to put the library back on the tax rolls permanently began in 1949, but through the 1960s, the Library Board continued to struggle to operate the Library on one-quarter mill of funding. Fortunately in 1966, voters approved a levy of up to three-quarters mill to support the library. This and a bequest from the estate of Elizabeth Pomeroy improved the financial status of the Library and provided funding for a comprehensive update of the Library Building.
A portion of the Pomeroy bequest was invested in a Pulic Improvement Fund, which was used in 1983 to purchase an adjoining lot on the north side of the Carnegie building. Through matching grants from a LSCA Title II grant in 1984, a barrier-free 4,500 square foot facility was attached to the historical Carnegie structure and dedicated on June 2, 1985. In 1992, voters approved an additional one-half mill of funding to ensure continued growth of the Library.
While books remain the backbone of the Libarary, technology is alive, continually updated and growing. A world of information is available at the Library by using online databases or browsing the World Wide Web. The automated card catalog may be accessed at the library or from your home or office computer. Two community rooms are available for use by village or township residents Experience all the libary has to offer with a visit!
